Meet our Cycle 2 Teaching Teams
CP, Cours Préparatoire (1st grade) - Classe homologuée
Ms. Claire Bénac (French, CP1) joined AIS in 2020 from the Dallas International School where she taught PS and CP. Originally from Toulouse, France, she earned a Masters in Psychology and her elementary school teaching degree at the National Institute for Educators in France. By making strong connections with her students, Claire is able to push them to achieve their full potential within a warm and welcoming environment.
Ms. Sophie Gousset (French, CP2) imparts her love of discovering new cultures and learning new languages to her students. She has taught CP, CM1, and CE1 at École Notre Dame de France in Marseille, and trained as a teacher in MS, CP, and CM2 at École Pastré Grande Bastide, also in Marseille. Prior to teaching, Sophie worked as an account manager for a floral exporting business while based in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands, and as an assistant in the Trade School Language Center. She began at AIS in 2012. In addition to teaching, she likes to read, travel, and spend time with her family. Her teaching philosophy reads, “The classroom should be a place of happiness where children can build confidence and progress at their own pace.”
Ms. Jamie Wolter (English) began her teaching career in 1997 as a first and second grade teacher. Since then, she has taught preschool and Kindergarten classes as well. She holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Houston’s College of Education and is certified by the State of Texas to teach in pre-kindergarten through eighth grades. Jamie is excited to collaborate with her teaching team to develop engaging and exciting units of instruction for our young learners at AIS!
Ms. Isabel Ruíz (Spanish), originally from Spain, joined AIS in 2018. As a certified classroom teacher, she has taught a range of students around the globe, supporting them in becoming passionate agents of their own learning. She is a proud mother of two AIS students who have attended AIS since PS.
Dr. Claudine Escobar-Durand (FLE) joined AIS in 2021 as our school's first Français Langue Étrangère (French as a Foreign Language) teacher, working closely with Cycle 2 students to help prepare them for the mainstream French classroom. She earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in French language instruction from the Université de Rouen in France. A passionate life-long learner, she went on to earn a degree in archeology from the Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala and then her doctorate in language and cultural instruction at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris 3. She has held longtime teaching and leadership positions at the Alliance Française language schools in Guatemala and Nevada, preparing thousands of French language students of all ages for life in French-speaking environments.
CE1, Cours Élémentaire 1re année (2nd grade) - Classe homologuée
Mr. Peter Moyer (French, CE1a) joined AIS in 2021 from the French International School of Philadelphia where he taught in the CE1 classroom. After growing up and completing his education in France, he went on to complete his bachelor's degree in early childhood education at Temple University and his K-4 teaching certificate in Pennsylvania. Peter has worked in schools in Japan, Taiwan, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC. He has earned several awards, including the Segal AmeriCorps Award, the Freeman Internship Award, and the Princeton in Asia Fellowship, among others.
Ms. Cindy Cobb (French, CE1b) has over a decade of teaching experience in French immersion programs. A native of France, she holds a degree in literature from the University of La Sorbonne Paris and completed her primary school teaching certificate (GS-CM2) at IUFM Molitor Paris. Born in Zaïre and a former resident of Australia, Cindy is passionate about sharing and engaging in cultures around the globe. She is a proud mother of two AIS students who are growing up trilingual and ready to engage the world of today and tomorrow.
Ms. Alison DenOtter (English) joined AIS from a bilingual charter school program in Austin. Her prior experience includes bilingual English/Spanish education at the Kindergarten and elementary school levels in Indiana and Austin; she also has experience working as an English teacher in China. She is a certified teacher in the State of Texas and holds a TOEFL certificate. Alison earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Sociology and her Master of Arts in Teaching. As part of her university studies, she completed a semester abroad in Lima, Peru.
Ms. Mónica Sedano (Spanish) finds personal satisfaction in transmitting knowledge to children in her language and giving them the opportunity to communicate in another language – especially when she sees the results over time. She has been at the school since 2005, first as a PS and MS teacher; she previously worked at a local Montessori school. She taught at the AIS summer camp for three years, and volunteers her time outside of work to educational events such as the local Feria para Aprender.
Dr. Claudine Escobar-Durand (FLE) joined AIS in 2021 as our school's first Français Langue Étrangère (French as a Foreign Language) teacher, working closely with Cycle 2 students to help prepare them for the mainstream French classroom. She earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in French language instruction from the Université de Rouen in France. A passionate life-long learner, she went on to earn a degree in archeology from the Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala and then her doctorate in language and cultural instruction at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris 3. She has held longtime teaching and leadership positions at the Alliance Française language schools in Guatemala and Nevada, preparing thousands of French language students of all ages for life in French-speaking environments.
CE2, Cours Élémentaire 2e année (3rd grade) - Classe homologuée
Ms. Claire Chaney (French) joined Austin International School after having taught students in Dallas, Arizona, and her hometown of Montpellier, France. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in English language, literature, and civilization, followed by her teaching certificate from the IUFM in Montpellier. A passionate lifelong learner, she went on to complete additional teaching coursework at Bookhaven College in Dallas. Claire is the proud mother of a young AIS learner.
Ms. Martha Kanaan (English) is a certified EC-6 bilingual generalist and has taught a diverse range of students in classrooms across Texas, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. She earned her bachelor of arts in international relations coursework for a master of liberal arts degree at St. Edward's University in Austin. She is passionate about differentiated and personalized education for her students. She joined AIS in 2021 along with her daughter who will be living and learning in French, English, and Spanish each day in school.
Ms. Mónica Sedano (Spanish) finds personal satisfaction in transmitting knowledge to children in her language and giving them the opportunity to communicate in another language – especially when she sees the results over time. She has been at the school since 2005, first as a PS and MS teacher; she previously worked at a local Montessori school. She taught at the AIS summer camp for three years, and volunteers her time outside of work to educational events such as the local Feria para Aprender.
Dr. Claudine Escobar-Durand (FLE) joined AIS in 2021 as our school's first Français Langue Étrangère (French as a Foreign Language) teacher, working closely with Cycle 2 students to help prepare them for the mainstream French classroom. She earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in French language instruction from the Université de Rouen in France. A passionate life-long learner, she went on to earn a degree in archeology from the Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala and then her doctorate in language and cultural instruction at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris 3. She has held longtime teaching and leadership positions at the Alliance Française language schools in Guatemala and Nevada, preparing thousands of French language students of all ages for life in French-speaking environments.